Remote Post Codes in Uk?

[davidc1971]

Hi All,

I use a Courier for the majority of my sales and up until recently,  areas of the Uk which are not on the mainland have mainly been charged at the same rate  as the mainland, there were exceptions and when this came up it was easily solved with the buyer as I have a disclaimer on my listings about this, however recently this has been expanded to Included Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Highlands of Scotland etc...

It was annoying that Ebay didn't distingish between mainland uk and 'off shore' when it came to selling, but now it's getting a real problem.

Can I just ask how do others manage this issue? Is there something I am missing in the settings to solve this issue? Any advice would be welcome.

I know this isn't an issue if you use Royal Mail but I prefer to send items over £16 tracked where possible and even Recorded isn't a tracked service, so I prefer the courier I use.

Cheers

David

[fargvs]

No additional charges or unnecessary paperwork, and often cheaper by using Royal Mail for Northern Ireland/Highlands/Islands deliveries ... Post Office receipts for packages/parcels will have a 16 digit reference number at no extra cost  which is Royal Mail scanned at delivery address and is accepted by eBay as delivery confirmed > 

https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/    also > https://www.royalmail.com/collection

Couriers have always charged extra but are now 'making a complete mess of it' (being polite) by asking for Customs CN22 declarations for NI (not required) and additional  surcharges for so called >

'Remote UK Postcodes.'  > 

[red_magpie]

The short answer is that Royal Mail doesn't surcharge for delivery to remote areas, but most couriers do.

Many sellers who exclusively use couriers block bids from buyers in these areas precisely because of the endless arguments and complaints over surcharges.

I don't understand your logic for preferring couriers. All Royal Mail parcels services now automatically provide a delivery number on the postal receipt. This can be checked on RM's track and trace web site and is accepted by eBay and Paypal as proof of delivery.

[redwick1]

Why dont you use Royal MAil?.

They more reliable than any courier

They deliver to all areas for the same price in the Uk so includes all the Isles and NI

You dont need to pay for tracking if a parcel as the receipt has a 16 digit code which acts as tracked

it only shows Delivered but ebay accept thatnd you are covered for up to £20

Some of your items would go envelope size so you would not be covered for them but could add it

I am happy to send anywhere in the UK with RM and had only one or two minor problems over many years

[davidc1971]

Hi, I have an online business account with Royal Mail and still use the hand stamps, so I assume the 16 digit code is from Click & Collect? or purchased directly through Ebay? I will consider take a closer look into that but I use a courier rather than Royal Mail for several reasons, I have found them Personally more reliable than RM, Easier to communicate with when there are issues, If you do need to make a claim, they give you the Full retail value in compensation, with Royal Mail it's a struggle to even get the cost value (if you can prove it) and has taken months to resolve in some cases. Sticking with the same courier also gives you an opportunity to build a relationship and to them you are an important customer rather than just another with Royal Mail. I also use Top Cashback and get a percentage back from the cost and the courier I use is significantly cheaper than Royal Mail for Parcels. Ok I just thought I would ask and see what others are doing, Thanks Anyway.

[redwick1]

Your experiences with Royal Mail are the exact opposite of mine. I sell and when I did have a claim it was very easy. Your choice of course but there is a lot of business to be done in all those areas that are being excluded.

[davidc1971]

Hi, I am not missing out at present, when the item is below £16 I send recorded and when the item is high value I more for the courier, although this is offset by the cashback but I would like to find a more permanent solution, so I will review this now. Thanks

[davidc1971]

Just to clarify, the 16 digit number, is this through purchasing RM through ebay? Over the counter? Click & Collect? Regards

[redwick1]

When you buy off RM not ebay. I take mine to the post office and they give me a receipt with the code on automatically. I used to do drop and go when I was selling more. You are a business so check out on the RM site there are many ways to send and it is changing all the time. Contact them and check out what they offer or the best way to send. You have nothing to lose. One draw back if you buy off ebay is that the tracking is automatically on the item on your sales.

[redwick1]

Yo may be better trying your question on Seller Central at the top of the page under Discussion